Rights of migrants and refugees

A guide on the rights and responsibilities of migrant workers in Northern Ireland. It covers the law on social security, health and social care, employment rights, immigration law, human rights and equality.

Your Rights in Northern Ireland: a guide for Syrian people in Northern Ireland under the VPR scheme

A guide on the rights and responsibilities of Syrian people who are in Northern Ireland as part of the Vulnerable Person Resettlement (VPR) scheme. It covers the law on social security, health and social care, employment rights, immigration law, human rights and equality.

FromApril 2015, most non EEA citizens have to pay a fee called the Immigration Health Surcharge as part of their visa application if they intend to stay in the UK for more than 6 months. More information here.

There are exceptions, explained in the briefing below.

New regulations on access to healthcare for migrants in Northern Ireland - March 2015

Migrants and Benefits: an adviser's guide

Law Centre (NI) has published an advisers' guide on Migrants and Benefits, on behalf of Belfast Integration and Participation Project.

How does immigration status affect a person’s entitlement to benefit? What is habitual residence?What does right to reside mean for benefit entitlement? Migrants and Benefits deals with these and other common issues that arise where migrants need advice on benefit entitlement. The guide is written for advisers and contains tips for dealing with difficult situations and practical guidance.

Refugee transition guide

Produced on behalf of Belfast City Council, Refugee Transition is a guide for people who have just received refugee status.

The guide will help users navigate through the complex process of finding a home, a job, benefits if needed, and generally integrating into society. It is to be used by refugees themselves but also by their advisers and by staff in statutory agencies.